Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. Hematocrit Hct as an indicator of blood viscosity and mean arterial blood pressure MAP were assessed according to the season in adult participants of health screenings conducted throughout Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Data was collected at the end of summer April and the end of winter August and identified by gender.
August female Hcts Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, body mass indices, ages, and personal and familial medical histories of the August and April groups were not significantly different. This study offers further support for the assertion that the relationship between blood viscosity and pressure of a healthy population shows that increased Hct, and therefore increased blood viscosity is associated with lowered MAP, and presumably peripheral vascular resistance.
Keywords: blood pressure, African adults, blood viscosity, cardiovascular, shear stress. Blood viscosity is a determinant of peripheral vascular resistance, and therefore cardiovascular function and blood pressure. The classic conceptualization indicates that increased blood viscosity leads to increased peripheral vascular resistance, leading in general to increased blood pressure.
Hct in the population presents variability due to genetics, environmental factors, diet, age, exercise, etc. It also presents significant seasonal variations. The results were scrutinized according to gender, Hct, and blood pressure values in the participating populations from the end of summer April , and the end of winter August in order to determine their ability to compensate for the changes in blood viscosity and explore the associated potential health risk factors.
The health care screening database of participants during August and April , constituting and mixed male and female individuals, respectively, was further characterized. The months of April and August were chosen due to availability of comprehensive data as well as having opposing seasonal climates. Furthermore, these months correspond to the end of the corresponding season, thus providing for a prolonged period of adaptation to the related environmental conditions. However, participants during August did not return in April.
